Mohamed Sanu‘s tenure in Miami has come to an end already. The Dolphins are releasing the veteran receiver, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). 

The 33-year-old signed with the team last month, looking to catch on as an experienced rotational player in the their new-look WR corps. The deal kept in line with his recent status as a journeyman; since being traded by the Falcons in 2019, Sanu has suited up for three different teams. He will need to add another name to that list, as he is back on the open market.

Sanu’s production has dropped off in recent years, though he has started 10 of the 26 games he appeared in since the end of his Falcons tenure. Nevertheless, he was destined for a backup job given Miami’s depth chart being topped by Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Cedrick Wilson.

By releasing Sanu, the Dolphins are also paving a way to notable playing time for fourth-round rookie Erik Ezukanma. The team still faces some other interesting decisions at the position, however; the talent at the top of the roster – along with the presence of tight end Mike Gesicki – might leave room for only one more wideout to survive final roster cuts. As a result, names like Preston Williams and Lynn Bowden Jr. were reported as being shopped for whatever trade return the team could get.

Neither Williams nor Bowden could be considered locks given this news, so they could soon join Sanu in free agency as well. The latter will now look to catch on elsewhere, as teams navigate their own bubble players, as well as those let go of elsewhere during this period.

The Dolphins have already been in the headlines this offseason with their additions at the receiver position. The team is making another one today, signing veteran Mohamed Sanu, per his agent (on Twitter). 

The former third-rounder has been well-travelled in recent years, a notable contrast to the early part of his career. In 2014 (the third of four years spent with the Bengals), he posted 790 yards – a total which remained his career high for several years. It wasn’t until his final full season in Atlanta that he upped that mark with a personal-best 66 receptions and 838 yards.

Since his midseason 2019 trade to the Patriots, however, Sanu’s production has dropped off. 2020 was also split between two teams (the 49ers and Lions); it was with the latter that he registered the most recent starts of his career. Despite releasing him the year before, San Francisco brought back the Rutgers product in 2021. Limited to eight games, he played nearly half of the team’s offensive snaps, but made just 15 catches. The 49ers have Jauan Jennings as their primary backup to Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

In Miami, Sanu will join a WR corps which already featured Jaylen Waddle and added Tyreek Hill and Cedrick Wilson this offseason. He will look to catch onto the backend of the roster as the Dolphins aim to take a dramatic step forward on offense. To make room for the signing, the team is releasing WR Cody Core with a non-football injury designation (Twitter link via CBS’ Jonathan Jones).